358 OCCUPATIONS AND SPORTS OF MEN. 



on, partly by inciting them with a stick. Great chiefs often 

 followed their stallions, and sometimes umpires were chosen, 

 who in doubtful cases decided which horse had the best of 

 it; to own the best horse was a great honour, and in such 

 horse-fights many stallions were often led against each 

 other. 



" It happened one summer, as it often does, that there was a 

 horse-fight (in Bergen, Norway). A man by name of Gaut of 

 Mel, high of kin, a great friend of the Sturlungar, had received 

 from Sturla a good horse ; it was said by many to be the best 

 in Norway. Ami oreyda, an Icelander, had sent the king a 

 horse which he called the best in Iceland ; and these horses 

 were to fight. A large crowd of people gathered there. When 

 the horses were led forth, each of them seemed to be very fine ; 

 they were let loose, and came together fiercely, and there 

 followed a splendid fight, both severe and long ; but when the 

 fight had lasted some time, the king's horse slackened. The 

 king did not like this, as could easily be seen. Gaut went 

 round the circle of men, and made good use of the one eye he 

 had. Aron was present there, and with him Thorarin, his kins- 

 man ; they were much displeased at the defeat of the horse. 

 Aron was the friend of Ami, but not of Gaut ; he thought he 

 knew why it was defeated. As they saw that the king did not 

 heed his horse, they went to him, and Aron said : ' Do not 

 undervalue your horse, lord, for it must be most precious ; but 

 this is not the way of fighting he is used to.' ' What way is 

 that ? ' asked the king. ' A man follows each horse, as it is led 

 forth, with a staff in his hand, and strikes the horse's quarters, 

 and supports the horse when he rises.' ' If thou thinkest thou 

 canst make the horse stand,' said the king, ' then go.' Now 

 Aron and Thorarin took off their overcoats, and took sticks in 

 their hands ; then they went to where the king's horse stood 

 outside the circle ; they touched it with their sticks, and it 

 started as if it knew why they had come ; it rushed at the 

 horse of Gaut, and the latter at it, and they came together 

 violently. The horse of Gaut was now much pressed, for the 

 king's horse was supported with strength ; and it was said 

 that it so had the best chance. As day declined, the horse of 

 Gaut slackened (its efforts), though it would neither retreat 

 nor run. Aron and Thorarin pushed their horse the harder, 

 till the horse of Gaut fell down from exhaustion and hard 

 fighting, and never afterwards rose. Gaut could not remain 

 quiet on account of his anger, and thought that Aron had 

 killed his horse, and was greatly displeased ; but one could see 



